Live Like Laura Kos

THE 10 KOS-MANDMENTS

By Haliegh, Kim Allan, Morgan Tierney, Tiana Blouin, Kat Malysh, Ksena Tatomir

1. APPRECIATE EVERY MOMENT.

When something’s awesome, say “You guys, this is awesome!” If something’s the titties, go ahead and say it’s the titties. Don’t hold back or try to play it cool. Point out the good at every possible opportunity, even if you’ve said it a billion times before. Keep your head up out there and enjoy the view.

2. TREAT YO’ SELF.

Enjoy the finer things in life. Like an ice cold Athlete’s Beer after hockey, or a sneaky social dart outside the bar at 2am. Or an overpriced charcuterie plate. Or a dip in a glacial lake, if you’re into that sort of thing. Splurge on new kicks. Get guac with your nachos because you deserve it.

3. NEVER EVER HOLD BACK A LAUGH.

Whenever something makes you giggle, let it out. It’s okay to be the loudest person in the crowd at the stand-up show. Laugh so hard your abs hurt the next day. Laugh so hard you cry in public. There’s a laugh hiding in just about everything … find it and turn it into an inside joke. Laughter is contagious and encouraging, so make sure everyone in a five mile radius can hear.

4. OPEN YOUR HEART TO EVERYONE.

The cool thing about the human heart is that it has unlimited room for unlimited best buds. Go out of your way to make everyone you talk to feel like the most important person in the world. Go ahead and connect with a stranger – they might surprise you. And don’t be stingy with the “I love yous”, heart emojis, sloppy wet kisses or tiny-hand forearm squeezes. They don’t cost you anything, but they’re priceless.

5. WORK TO LIVE. DON’T LIVE TO WORK.

Life’s too short to spend all your time working. Work when you have to, so you can get away when you want to. When you do have to work, don’t fuck around – work hard and try to make it fun. And if you get chance to clock out early for a casual 50k ‘~jog” (soft j), don’t hesitate. It’s only work , after all. It’ll be there when you get back.

6. WHEN OPPORTUNITY GIVES YOU A DANGLE, ANSWER.

There’s only one guaranteed way to avoid FOMO, and that’s to do the thing. Go on the trip, to the concert, hiking in Nepal. Shoplift a hot tub. Go out with friends the night before an exam. Don’t ask too many questions. Call in sick or play hooky if you have to… you’ll figure it out later!

7. ALWAYS BE CURIOUS.

Never stop learning new things, trying new sports, running new trails, finding new lines, meeting new people or visiting new places. Don’t put yourself in a box – be a jack of all trades. An enigma. Nobody ever said you can’t be a jock, a doctor, an artist and a secret nerd. Read a good book before bed, or the newspaper in the morning. Ask people questions and be fascinated by their answers.

8. STAY HUMBLE (even though you’re kind of a big deal).

Lead by example. There’s no need to be a jabroni and remind people that you were valedictorian, or that you podiumed in your first ever ultramarathon, or that you were the first ever female lead in a Ford truck commercial. Be the kind of person who would do those things, and then people won ‘t be surprised when they find out you did.

9. BUILD OTHER PEOPLE UP.

Celly the success of other people. Don’t be afraid to brag about your friends on their behalf. If someone’s hesitating, give them the little extra chirp they need to push them forward. If someone’s feeling down (like hypothetically speaking when your goalie lets in 6+ goals), give them a tap on the pads and tell them they did awesome anyway. Push people ever so slightly out of their comfort zone, and if they fall flat on their face, take them out for a pint and laugh about it.

10. NO EXCUSES. PLAY LIKE A CHAMP.

No half-assing allowed. Live every day like it’s third period, Saturday night. If you’re gonna do something, you might as well give it every thing. If you’re gonna play hockey, play your heart out, and if you’re gonna be a skier, be an unreal skier. Apres always tastes so much better when you earn it! If you’re gonna be a doctor, be sure to work at least two days a week. And of course, if you should ever find yourself a few vodka sodies deep at the Roxy, leave it all out there on the dance floor. You can do it. Put your ass into it.